1
2
as in to shift
to change one's position
the cat stirred, then opened its eyes and slowly got to its feet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to provoke
to rouse to strong feeling or action
news coverage of the fire stirred many to send donations to a fund for the families who had lost their homes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity
the plane's first jolt caused a stir among the passengers, and by the third one they were in a panic
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shifting
the act or an instance of changing position
we were warned that the slightest stir would scare the mother bird so we hardly dared to breathe
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as in jail
a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody
the mule had just got out of stir and was being followed by the feds, who had their sights set on the kingpin of the operation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stir
The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2025
Add the corn and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally or until kernels brown in spots.
—arkansasonline.com, 8 July 2025
Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 3 June 2025
As with all games, the results caused a stir, and Nic, Elan, Cierra, Chelley, Huda, and Ace were at the heart of the drama.
—Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for stir
Verb
Fill the glass with ice, and repeat with the other glass.
3: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, stir together the Earl Grey simple syrup, lime juice and smoked paprika until thoroughly chilled and diluted, about 15 seconds.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2025
Add the corn and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally or until kernels brown in spots.
—arkansasonline.com, 8 July 2025
Noun
The comedian Andy Kaufman caused a stir in the 1970s by reading the novel onstage during his live appearances, not stopping until in some cases the entire audience had walked out.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 3 June 2025
As with all games, the results caused a stir, and Nic, Elan, Cierra, Chelley, Huda, and Ace were at the heart of the drama.
—Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for stir
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stir
Verb
-
Gently swirl in toppings with a thin metal spatula or table knife.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 July 2025
-
Uncertainty has swirled at the lab since March, when the Trump administration’s plans to cut the EPA’s Office of Research and Development were first reported by the New York Times.—
Jimmy Lovrien,
Twin Cities,
12 July 2025
Verb
-
Monsoon could bring relief and new risks Looking ahead, weather conditions may shift as monsoon moisture begins to build across northern Arizona.—
Hayleigh Evans,
AZCentral.com,
14 July 2025
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When talking to your child, shift the tone to reflect on their experience.—
Anna Earl,
Parents,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
Run adversarial simulations, employ red teams, and commission third-party evaluations that deliberately try to provoke harmful behaviors.—
Aytekin Tank,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
-
Don't run away or climb a tree, which may provoke a chase.—
Kaycee Sloan,
The Enquirer,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
The worker then pointed across the lot to Norman — who was washing someone’s car, tending to his summer job, minding his business.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
14 July 2025
-
Often problems arise from short-term pollution, which can happen during heavy rainfall that washes waste from sewage plants into the water.—
Katie Nadworny,
Travel + Leisure,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
Neither of these steps will be easy: Hezbollah is under pressure from Lebanese officials and continues to suffer Israeli bombardment, and the new Syrian government, which is consolidating control over its territory, is hostile to Iran and has begun moving closer to Israel.—
MOHAMMAD AYATOLLAHI TABAAR,
Foreign Affairs,
8 July 2025
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Through the soil created by centuries of decomposing plant life, through rocks ground down by shifting rivers and slowly moving mountains.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
Their main message is to encourage couples to actively consider the decision instead of following the norm.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
12 July 2025
-
The editorial also criticized health benefit eligibility after eight years of service — a policy many cities use to encourage continuity and long-term commitment.—
Josh Levy,
Sun Sentinel,
12 July 2025
Verb
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While the men of the colony greeted them eagerly, the women were whisked away by an order of nuns already living in the area.—
Ann Foster,
JSTOR Daily,
9 July 2025
-
In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, oil, vanilla and sugar.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
8 July 2025
Verb
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Doing so could stimulate economic growth, and would be warmly welcomed by the White House and investors.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
-
Examples include flashing notifications that make your phone jump and squeak, colorful rewards when others like your posts, and algorithms that push out the most emotional content to stimulate your most base emotions of anger, shame or glee.—
Lisa Schirch,
The Conversation,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stir.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stir. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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